Vented pour spout



June 26, 1962 R. w. SMITH 3,040,938

VENTED POURSSPOUT Filed Feb. 17, 1958 H United States Patent Otiee 3,040,938 Patented June 26, 1962 3,040,938 VENTED POUR SPOUT Rulo Wayne Smith, Auburn, Ind., assgnor to Rieke Metal Products Corporation, Auburn, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Feb. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 715,652 Claims. (Cl. 222-478) This invention relates generally to pour spouts for containers, and particularly to pour spout assemblies incorporating self-registering venting means.

For smooth, stabile decanting of liquid from a closed container it is necessary to provide the container with a pour spout which is vented to permit entry of air into the container. If no such venting arrangement is provided, air will intermittently enter the container through the main iiuid passage in the pour spout causing pulsations in the flow of fluid from the container. Prior art devices have been provided with venting means in the. form of a small air tube which extends through the pour spout and is secured to the side wall thereof. A further variation of this arrangement employs an aperture extending longitudinally through the pour spout side wall. The tube or the aperture thus provides an air passage through the pour spout which is maintained unsubmerged when the container is tilted for pouring. One of the principal difliculties with these prior art devices is that when installing the pour spout, the installer must use care to insure that the spout is in proper registration, or orientation, with the container so that, when the container is tilted for pouring, the vent tube or the aperture will be positioned above the main stream of fluid flowing through the spout.

It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide a pour spout having a venting `arrangement which functions to provide stabile flow regardless of the degree of fullness of the container or of the rate of pouring, and the entire assembly of which requires no registration with respect to its position when inserted in the pouring opening of the container.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a vented pour spout in which the leakage through Vthe venting means passes out through the pour spout.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a venting means for pour spouts which is particularly adapted for use with iiexible spouts of the type referred to in Rieke Patent No. 2,561,596, and in Rieke application Serial No. 623,854, tiled November 23, 1956, now Patent No. 2,895,654, issued July 2l, 1959, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a venting means for extensible pour spouts which is moved to venting position automatically as the spout is extended from stowed position to pouring position.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

FIG. l is a side sectional view of a pour spout assembly embodying the present invention shown in nested or stowed position.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG, l, but `showing the pour spout in extended or pouring position.

FIG. 3 is a side View of the venting unit portion of the spout.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic View showing the action of the venting means as the axis of the container is tilted.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a modified form of the present invention.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a tubular body or flexible pouring spout for a container indicated at 10, the container having an opening provided therein surrounded by an upturn'ed flange 11. The tubular body or exible pouring spout is preferably formed of a semi-resilient material, such as polyethylene plastic or rubber composition, to include a generally frusto-conical portion 12 terminating in a tubular portion 13 with which it is joined by an intermediate shoulder portion 14. This formation is such that when the pouring spout is not in use it may be nested, in stowed position, within the container, as shown in FIG. 1.

By pulling outwardly on the tubular portion, the conical portion may be caused to ex about its periphery to the extended or pouring position shown in FIG. 2. ln the stowed position the tubular portion will be embraced within the conical portion, while in the pouring position it wiill be extended therefrom for decanting fluid from the container.

The large end of the conical portion terminates in a sealing ring 15 formed to seat over and embrace the ange 11 of the container and to be secured thereabout by a suitable clamping ring 16. The clamping ring not only clamps the resilient material of the sealing ring 15 to the container, but is provided with an inner recessed portion 17 adapted to receive a removable metallic tamper-proof sealing member 18.

The mouth of the tubular portion 13 may be initially sealed by an internally formed diaphragm 19 adapted to be cut out about itsperiphery by a cutting implement when the spout is rst pulled out for pouring. The spout may be raised to pouring position by means of a bail handled cap 20 having a flexible bail 23 and threaded upon the tubular portion 13 by means of external threads formed thereon. The removable cap 20 may be used to re-close the spout after the diaphragm 19 has been cut away.

The venting unit 26 (FIG. 3) which forms a part of the present invention consists of an inner cylindrical spout or sleeve portion 27 having an outwardly flared lower end 28 and tongues 29 extending upwardly of the other end. The circumference of the ared end 28 is provided with a series of notches 31 which serve as venting apertures as will subsequently be explained. The venting unit may be formed of the same material as that of the pouring spout, and inner spout portion 27 may be provided with stiiening ribs 32.

The venting unit is assembled in the spout, as shown in Fl'GS. l and 2, with the tongues 29 extending along the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 13. The tongues 29 are rigidly secured by any suitable means to the cylindrical portion 13 and are disposed so that the upper edge 33 of the cylindrical inner spout portion 27 is spaced from the inner end of the tubular portion 13. The inner bore 34 of the venting unit may be somewhat smaller in diameter than the inside diameter of the tubular portion 13, or said bore may otherwise be dimensioned so that, upon tilting of the container, the venting unit limits the flow of fluid to less than the full capacity of the spout, thereby permitting a small air passage to be maintained along the inner wall of the tubular portion as will subsequently be explained. As the spout is drawn yfrom stowed position to pouring position, it will be evident that the venting unit will be drawn to proper position within the pouring spout with the upper margin of its flared end 28 in engagement with the terminal portion of the conical section 12, as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown diagrammatically a iiuid filled container 36 positioned so that its axis is tilted between vertical and horizontal positions. The spout portions 12 and 13 iare shown diagrammatically as is also the venting unit 26. The liquid level Within the container is represented by the line 37 and the lines hv and hs represent the pressure head at the upper venting apertures 35, provided by notches 31, and at the entrance to the venting unit, respectively. With the container in its solid line position of FIG. 4, it will be evident that fluid will flow through the pour spout, as indicated by arrow 38. Because the inner bore of the venting unit, has a somewhat smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion 13, the flow will be maintained at less than the full capacity of the spout and the upper margin of the fluid stream proceeding through the spout will be disposed -generally as shown by lbroken line 39. A small air passage is thereby preserved along the top side area of the tubular portion `13 through which air may pass, as generally indicated by the arrow 41.

Since the pressure at the inlet of the venting unit is greater than the pressure at the upper apertures 35, the entering air, following the path indicated by arrow 41, will not pass through the central bore of the venting unit, but will pass between the venting unit and the conical portion 12 and enter the container through the upper apertures 35, as indicated by the arrow 42. Since there is no entry of air into the central stream issuing yfrom the pouring spout, pulsations in the fluid flow are eliminated and the flow is maintained stabile.

The pressure differential, indicated at d, which diverts the vent air from the central fluid stream is maintained as the axis of the container is tilted to horizontal position and below horizontal position. This will be evident from FIG. 4 where the liquid level is indicated by broken line 43- when the axis of the container is horizontal, and the liquid ylevel is indicated by broken line 44 when the container axis is below horizontal. Thus, if the pouring rate is established at its maximum amount by tilting the container axis below horizontal, the venting action will be maintained, permitting a stabile stream of fluid to issue from the pouring spout.

As the container is tilted through various pouring positions, it will be evident that the fluid leakage through the submerged apertures, indicated at 35 in FIG. 4, and through the upper apertures 35, through which Vent air passes, will be directed into the main stream passing through the spout. The number and size of the apertures provided by notches 31 is such that the liquid passing therethrough added to that flowing outwardly through the central bore 34 of the vent unit does not completely fill the pour spout 13 so as to prevent the free inward flow of vent air.

Since the notches 31 are spaced to provide substantially equal venting area per unit of peripheral length around the flared end of the venting unit, it will be evident that the pour spout assembly may be installed upon the container without requiring the installer to first orient or register the spout with respect to the tilted pouring position of the container so that the vent apertures will not be disposed below the entry to t-he vent sleeve when the container lis tilted for pouring. In other words, the pressure differential d will be maintained during pouring without requiring any particular orientation of the spout assembly on the container. Since the pour spout need not be so registered, it lends itself to automatic assembly without need of orientation and considerable installation time is saved.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a modified form of the present invention including a tubular body portion or pouring spout 46 which is flared outwardly at its inner end and provided with a series of notches 47 so sized and spaced as to provide substantially equal venting per unit of peripheral length and which serve as venting apertures. A venting unit comprising a sleeve or inner spout 48, having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the tubular portion and a flared inner end, is mounted concentrically with the tubular portion and is -rigidly secured by any suitable means to the lower surface of the flared end of the tubular portion. The tubular portion and the venting unit are formed of a suitable rigid material, such as sheet steel and the assembly thereby formed is of the extensible type, that is, the pouring spout may be moved from a stowed position to an extended, pouring position. The spout is shown in extended position by solid lines in FIG. 5, and is shown in partially retracted position by broken lines in FIG. 5.

To provide for extension and retraction of the tubular portion 46, it is slidably accommodated within a central opening in a cap member 49, the flared end of the tubular portion serving to limit the outward movement of the spout. The cap member is provided with a gasket 51 which bears against the upwardly flanged margin 52 of the discharge opening in a container 53. The inwardly bent margin 54 of the cap member clamps about the flange 52 and holds the gasket 51 in sealing relation thereto. A further sealing closure (not shown) may be applied to the spout when in retracted or stowed position, such closure overlying the cap member 49 and clamping against the inclined marginal area 54.

With the spout in extended or pouring position it will be evident that the operation will be similar to that described with reference to FIG. 4. Thus, when the axis of the container is tilted, fluid will flow through the venting unit, and air Will enter the spout along the top side area of the tubular portion 46 and will enter the container through the appropriately disposed venting apertures provided by notches 47. Assuming that the container is tilted for pouring so that the right-hand side of the spout is uppermost, air will flow into the container in the general path indicated by the arrowed line in FIG. 5.

It should be noted that the pour spout assembly shown in FIG. 5 retains the Venting features of the assembly shown in FIGS. l and 2 and differs principally in that the spout is not flexible.

While this invention has been disclosed in cooperation `with particular types of pour spouts, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention is equally applicable to many other types of conventional pour spouts. The venting yunit may be formed of any suitable material, either plastic or metallic. It will also be lreadily apparent that while this invention has been described as including a Venting unit having a diameter smaller than that of cylindrical portion 13, flow of fluid may be limited by otherwise dimensioning or deforming the inner bore of the venting unit to provide the same limiltations with respect to flow of fluid.

The invention claimed is:

l. A pouring spout assembly comprising a .tubular portion superimposed upon a frusto-conical section at its minor circumference, mounting means for securing said conical section at its major circumference in overlying relation to the discharge opening of a tiltable container, a sleeve having members extending into said tubular portion `supporting said sleeve concentrically therewith and with one of its ends axially spaced from the adjacent end of said tubular portion, the other end of said sleeve being flanged outwardly Ito engage said conical portion at its major circumference, the flanged end of said sleeve having a series of equally spaced notches therein, said sleeve having an outside diameter slightly less than 4the inside diameter of said tubular portion whereby upon tilting of the container into pouring position a venting air passage is maintained inisaid tubular portion and `between said sleeve and said'conical section which communicates with those of `said notches remaining unsubmerged, the uniform disposition of said notches around lthe flanged end of said sleeve permitting said venting passage to be maintained during pouring independently of the orientation of said spout assembly on 4the container.

2. A pouring spout assembly comprising a tubular member, mounting means for securing one end of said tubular member in overlying fluid passing relation to the discharge opening of a tiltable container, a sleeve having members extending into said tubular member supporting said sleeve concentrically therewith and with one of its ends axially spaced from the adjacent end 0f said tubular member, the other end of said sleeve being flanged outwardly to engage said tubular member at its secured end, the flanged end of said sleeve having a series of equally spaced notches around the periphery thereof, said sleeve having `an outsideV diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of said tubular member whereby upon tilting of the container into pouring position a venting air passage is maintained in said tubular member and between said sleeve and said secured end of said tubular member which communicates with those `of said notches exposed to said air passage, the uniform disposition of said notches around the flanged end of said sleeve permitting said Venting passage to be maintained during pouring independently of the orientation of said spout assembly on the container.

3. A pouring spout assembly comprising a spout, mounting means for securing one end of said spout in overlying fluid passing relation to the discharge opening of a tiltable container, a sleeve attached Within said spout concentrically therewith and with one of its ends axially spaced from the adjacent end of said tubular portion, said sleeve having a smaller diameter than said spout and the other end of said sleeve being llanged `outwardly to engage said spout adjacent its secured end, the ilanged end of said sleeve having a series of equally spaced notches around the periphery thereof, whereby upon tilting of the container into pouring position a venting air passage is rnaintained in said spout and between said sleeve and said spout which communicates with those of said notches exposed to said air passage, the uniform disposition of said notches around the flanged end of said sleeve permitting said venting passage to be maintained during pouring independently of the orientation of said spout assembly on the container.

4. A pouring spout assembly comprising a spout, mounting means for securing one end of said spout in overlying fluid passing relation to the discharge opening of a tiltable container, a sleeve extending into said spout concentrically therewith and with one of its ends axially spaced from the adjacent end of said spout, the other end of lsaid sleeve including `an outwardly extending tlange member engaging said spout adjacent its secured end, said ange member `being formed to provide a series of equally spaced apertures around the periphery thereof, said sleeve having an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of said spout whereby upon tilting of the container into pouring position a venting air passage is maintained in said spout and `between said sleeve and said secured end of said spout which communicates with those of said apertures exposed to said air passage, the uniform disposition of said apertures around said ange member permitting said venting passage to be maintained during pouring independently of the orientation of said spout assembly on the container.

5. A pouring spout assembly comprising a unitary Hexible spout, mounting means for securing one end of said spout in overlying Huid passing relation to the discharge opening of a tiltable container, a sleeve attached at one end intermediate the ends `of and within said spout concentrically therewith and with `one of its ends axially spaced from the adjacent end of said tubular portion, the other end of said sleeve having an outwardly extending liange member for engaging the other end of said spout, said flange member being formed to provide a series of equally spaced apertures around the periphery thereof, -said -sleeve having an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of said spout whereby upon tilting of the container into pouring position a venting air passage is maintained in said spout and lbetween said sleeve and said one end of said spout which communicates with those of said apertures exposed to said air passage, the uniform disposition of said apertures around said flange member permitting said venting passage to 'be maintained during pouring independently of the orientation of said spout assembly `on the container.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,190,612 Weil July 11, 1916 1,528,556 Kruger Mar. 3, 1925 1,844,233 Whitney Feb. 9, 1932 2,049,900 Evans et al. Aug. 4, 1936 2,329,716 Johnson Sept. 21, 1943 2,424,101 Lari July 15, 1947 2,543,909 Hatheway Mar. 6, 1951 2,561,596 Rieke July 24, 1951 2,661,128 Rieke Dec. 1, 1953 2,785,839 Du Pree Mar. 19, 1957 

